- Last winter’s flu vaccine reduced the risk of infection among youngsters by 66%
- This made it eight per cent more effective than the previous year’s jab
- It was ineffective in those over 65 as it didn’t protect against a circulating strain
- Experts plan to increase the dose and make the immune system respond better
- Flu jabs are created via the three most common strains and are 50% effective
Last winter’s flu vaccine reduced the risk of infection by 66 per cent in children but was ineffective in the elderly, according to Public Health England (PHE).
Among youngsters, the jab was eight per cent more efficacious than the previous year and worked the best since it was first used in children in 2013.
Yet, the vaccine was ineffective in people aged 65 and over.
This is thought to be due to the jab failing to protect against the H3 flu strain, which circulated last winter.
Each year, the World Health Organization selects the three most common strains of flu to create the best vaccine. Such jabs are typically effective in 50 per cent of cases.
Last winter’s flu vaccine reduced the risk of infection by 66 per cent in children (stock)
Immune systems weaken with age
A PHE official said: ‘As people age, their immune systems are often weaker and therefore their bodies may not respond as well to a vaccine as younger people’s bodies,’ the BBC reported.
The NHS plans to offer flu vaccines to all children aged between two and 11, as such individuals tend to spread the infection.
Jenny Harries, deputy medical director for PHE, said: ‘We know children can spread flu more than others, and if we can keep them well, it means that the infection is less likely to pass to those who are at high risk.’
Despite the vaccine’s lack of success in the elderly, experts still recommend older people continue to have the injection.
PHE are investigating the potential to introduce high-dose jabs that work to boost the body’s immune response to receiving the vaccine.
These could be available as soon as two winters time.
PHE’s head of flu surveillance, Richard Pebody, added: ‘We’re looking at what happened and better options to protect the elderly.’
This comes after research released in May revealed cancer scientists at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in New York discovered a tumour-fighting drug could restore flu infected cells and prevent the virus spreading.
The medication increased the survival of flu-infected mice.